Home Depot sees lift from housing recovery, Sandy repairs

Retail Editor 4 -- Home Textiles Today, February 26, 2013

Atlanta - Home Depot's fourth quarter sales climbed 13.9% to $18.2 billion during the fourth quarter, with U.S. comps up 7.1%."We ended the year with a strong performance as our business benefited from a continued recovery in the housing market coupled with sales related to repairs in the areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy," said Frank Blake , chairman and ceo.Net earnings for the fourth quarter ended Feb. 3 jumped 29.2% to $1.0 billion, or 68 cents per share.For the full fiscal year, sales were up 6.2% to $74.8 billion, and the comp for U.S. stores increased 4.9%.Fiscal year EPS rose 21.5% to $3.00.